Hello everyone,

I was wondering if you all could offer some advice with a little problem I recently encountered. I was backing up out of a tight parking spot in a parking garage the other day and my side mirror scraped the white wall next to me on the way out. It made quite a mark that looks like it's almost blended in with the black paint on my TL. I tried scraping off the gunk with my fingernail but that also doesn't work. I honestly can't tell if it's a scratch or if it actually chipped off the paint. From the looks of it, it looks like the paint from the wall just scratched onto my side mirror. Heres a pic of it for better reference.

Anyone have any ideas how to remove the scratch without having to get the entire side mirror repainted? I was thinking touch-up paint too but I know that's not really recommended since it won't make the paint look smooth and even all around.

Thanks in advance!

 

cheaper to buy a new mirror? then actually getting it repainted.

Other than that, that looks like a lot of work tbh.

 

try rubing compound. It will remove the white stuff if the paint or clear coat are not scratch.

 

Using a good car soap, clay the mirror and see if it comes off. If not, try some rubbing compound and see if it helps. The mirror will be black plastic underneath, so I think its just paint transfer.

 

It appears to be paint transfer, which can be taken off your mirror housing.
1) Wash thoroughly with soap.
2) Try a clay bar, but my guess is that the clay bar won't do it.
3) Try car polish (BEFORE rubbing compound, which is more abrasive).
4) Rubbing compound only if polish doesn't remove the transfer.
5) Wax the mirror housing.
G/L.

 

I'll try that. Where's the best place to buy clay bars, car polish, and rubbing compound?

Thanks again for all the help!

 

autozone. There should be a mothers clay bar kit, thats good enough, just don't use the wax as lube, use any car soap that you use, and use it liberally.

 

Def, try a clay bar..I had a similiar situation where I nicked someones side mirror on a tight street and his paint ended up on my sideview mirror. It all came out by simply claying the area.

 

What brands would you guys recommend for:

1) Clay bar
2) Car polish
3) Rubbing compound

I stopped by Advance Auto Parts the other day and they had like a ton of each of those. I wanted to get the ones that people here have had the most success and are happy with.

Thanks!

 

1. OTC clay bars = megs / mothers / blue magic. Since I used mother's I know what it can do, the mothers kit is very fine clay, and fine clay should be used if your paint has been maintained correctly over the years.. But I really can't comment on the other two. So i'd say just pick whatever you can find.
2.
3. OTC again? I hear 3m stuff is usually good, but you need to go check out your local store and post what brands and what type (the name of the product) they have.

This will be done by hand right?